Penn Law and Wharton announced yesterday that the two schools would partner to form a three-year graduate program in which students would pursue both a JD and MBA.
The accelerated program would be one of just a handful of its kind in the country.
"As the world becomes more complex, leaders must be able to integrate financial, legal, political and cultural issues like never before," Law School Dean Michael Fitts said in a press release.
Wharton Dean Thomas Robertson said in the press statement that "success in business requires thorough knowledge of legal and regulatory environments," adding that enrolled students will have access to "the exceptional networking and career opportunities that both Penn Law and Wharton provide."
The University expects to enroll about 20 students in the program each year, beginning in September 2009.
Students will spend the first year in the Law School and the following summer taking four Law and Wharton courses designed specifically for the program, according to the press release.
The second and third years will include a combination of Law and Wharton courses, as well as work experience during the summer between the second and third year.
The program will target applicants who have about two years of work experience, and applicants must be admitted by both schools to enroll in the joint program.
Students interested in pursuing law and business degrees said the program would be beneficial because students could complete two degree programs in a short time frame.
"I think it would be really good to get a dual degree to advance your career and enter the working world with more knowledge under your belt," said College sophomore Naomi Kaplan, who said she wants to go to law school.
Wharton senior Noelle Crawford said she wants to go to business school but would not be likely to pursue a joint program because she is not interested in law.
Still, she said she thought such programs would "change the working business culture" because "people will enter the workforce younger and receive higher pay because of the dual degree."
-- Staff writer Jessica Bell contributed reporting to this article.
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